$1B Campaign Milestone
GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers reached a significant milestone in June, hitting $1 billion on the path to achieving its $1.25 billion goal. This record-setting campaign ties philanthropic support to research, recruitment, scholarship, and the development of innovative academic programs and opportunities and services for students. To continue tracking the momentum of Go Beyond, visit the campaign website. With 2026 approaching, Lehigh is poised to reach another historic giving milestone!
A Reunion to Remember
Amid a full weekend of events — and steady rain — during Reunion 2025 in June, the joy on campus could not be dampened. The parade featured an umbrella-wielding performance from the Class of ’85, and the weekend even included a surprise proposal on the Clayton UC lawn! Christian Hillegas ’18 popped the question to Sara Anderson ’18. The couple met during their orientation week, so what better place to mark the next chapter of their lives than the Lehigh campus!
50 Years of Sorority
Women of Lehigh continued their Soaring Together celebration of 50 years of co-education, a milestone that launched the Soaring Together Scholarship Program. At Reunion 2025, the university recognized 50 years of sorority at Lehigh, honoring communities that have enabled women to thrive on what was once an all-male campus.
“[These women are] leaders in student organizations, they're leaders in clubs, they're in athletics,” says Mary Beth Tully '84 P'21 P'21. “There's so much that dispels the notion that sorority women are some kind of ridiculous stereotype, and the fact is that they represent every corner of the university.”
Women’s Summit
Featuring virtual keynote speaker Brooke Eby '10, the 2025 Soaring Together Women’s Summit welcomed more than 160 attendees to the Iacocca Conference Center on March 28–29. Eby spoke with Carol Packard, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, sharing how humor and positivity sustain her strength in the face of ALS.
The weekend also included a yoga session with Kyle Greenberg ’85, a breakfast greeting from President Joseph J. Helble ’82, and workshops focused on leadership, well-being, and personal and professional development. The event concluded with a networking reception featuring Lehigh’s student a cappella group, Off the Record.
New Rookie on Paw-trol
As one four-legged hero retired, another stepped up to serve the Lehigh LUPD. LUcy, K9 on duty since 2016, is enjoying retirement and has welcomed a Labrador retriever named Clare to the force. “It’s always a positive thing to have dogs around,” says Officer Greg Nolf. “Especially to have one as a partner.”
A Shark Lands on Forbes List
ABC’s Shark Tank continues to spotlight Lehigh entrepreneurs and innovators. Olivia ’21 and her father, Steve Abrams P’21, presented TickMitt, a product designed to easily remove ticks from people and pets. The duo received offers from Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O'Leary but chose to decline. Olivia was also named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact List, and TickMitt made Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2025 list. Sounds like she’s doing fine — even without “Mr. Wonderful”!
New Dean of Athletics
When Joe Sterrett '76 M.Ed.'78 P'03 P'05 P'07 P'09 retired as dean of athletics after 52 years at Lehigh, he passed a legacy of championship teams and a loyal athletic community to a new leader, Jeremy Gibson. Gibson immediately demonstrated a commitment to personal connection by traveling nationwide to meet current and former athletes, alumni, and supporters. He was officially installed as Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics at Founder’s Weekend 2025 and rallied the Lehigh community to support the Mountain Hawks at Rivalry 161.
Women Enter the Circle
The university welcomed a new women’s varsity team, expanding its storied wrestling tradition. Following the NCAA’s addition of wrestling as its 91st championship sport in January, Lehigh moved quickly to compete. Gibson emphasized Lehigh’s commitment to equity and excellence, noting that “elevating women's wrestling to varsity status is a natural and exciting next step for Lehigh University and our athletics department.”
Fall Kickstart
The academic year kicked off with MOOV In and Rally, including the tradition of the class adoption. Once settled, students welcomed their families at Family Weekend in September, which featured music and activities for parents, grandparents, siblings, and pets.
October brought Founders Weekend, celebrating Asa Packer with dedications, celebrations, and a new message spotlighting the “Real” impact of the Lehigh experience.
Clayton University Center at Packer Hall
With the goal of revitalizing the heart of campus, construction wrapped up on the University Center, which opened its doors to students in January. Students quickly discovered the impact of the new space on their Lehigh experience, and in October at the Founder’s Weekend celebration, the building was officially dedicated, drawing university leadership, Kevin L. Clayton ’84 P’13 and Lisa A. Clayton P’13, donors, alumni, staff, faculty, and students.
Soaring Together
Welcoming its third class of scholars, the Soaring Together Scholarship Program now has 43 students, and they are making the most of the Impact Fund that gives them access to hands-on learning experiences. We’ve followed them to Washington, D.C., Uganda, Belgium, and San Francisco. They also shared their experiences at the 2025 Scholarship Celebration, joining Helble for an informal panel discussion that highlighted the amazing work these students are doing across campus and the world.
157th Commencement
With rain clouds giving way to sunshine, Commencement 2025 began with Karen Stuckey ’75 P’10 and Ethan Riester ’25 ringing the bell to signal the transition of the graduates to the next phase of their journey as Lehigh alumni and future leaders in their careers. Many reflected on their personal journeys as first generation graduates and as resilient students navigating a changing career landscape.
Undergraduate Commencement speaker Kate Johnson ’89 shared her advice on making an impact with an eagerness to learn. James T. Wassil MS’99 MBA’05 told the Graduate Commencement audience to face their personal crossroads with action, clarity, and compassion while warning against indifference.
The message from both was clear: The graduates have the tools to shape their future.
Aerospace Program
Lehigh has cultivated many alumni who have excelled in the field of aerospace, including recent alumni. The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science launched a new M.S. degree in aerospace and space systems engineering, responding to growing student interest. The program includes support from industry experts such as former NASA astronaut Terry Hart '68.
Exceptional Research Recognized
Lehigh has a long-established reputation for exceptional research. It’s now earned the R1 designation as a top-tier research school by Carnegie Classification — a prestigious honor held by a select few of the nation’s colleges and universities.
Lehigh also announced two new university research centers this year, one addressing community health (Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies) and another focused on energy systems (Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions). These follow Lehigh’s first University Research Center, the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience, founded in February 2024.
Read about alumni excelling in these fields: Mike Gosse Ph.D.’92, Franck Vogel ’99, Eddie Guerra M’10, and Jillian Blanchard ’95.
Dean of Engineering Endowment
A $7.5 million gift from Lewis (Lew) Hay III ’77 P’08 P’11 and Sherry A. Hay ’78 P’08 P’11 has created an endowment that will support a new deanship named after them in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.
The gift advances Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategy, including doubling the university’s research activity, expanding interdisciplinary programs, and creating educational innovations.
Anniversaries Abound!
2025 was a year of recognizing the longevity of some centers of excellence at Lehigh. Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) kicked off a yearlong centennial celebration capped off with a personal honor for director William Crow, who was named a guest scholar by the J. Paul Getty Museum and Getty Research Institute.
Additionally, the Centennial School, serving students with emotional disturbance and autism, celebrated 60 years of innovative education. The school is affiliated with Lehigh’s College of Education.
Lastly, an endowment made possible by Philip H’69 and Muriel H’91 Berman has allowed the Berman Center for Jewish Studies to remain a home for Jewish life and studies for 40 years. To celebrate, a yearlong celebration combined the family’s two passions: the arts and support for Jewish life.
Action-Packed Impact
Lehigh in Action continued in 2025 with social impact projects across the country organized by generous alumni leaders. In California, New York, New Jersey, and various Lehigh Valley locations, events served the environment, homeless, hunger needs, and historic preservation. Hands on Healthcare
Drawing inspiration from the Soaring Together Scholarship Program, Vince ’75 and Ellen Forlenza established a new merit-based scholarship program in the College of Health. The Forlenzas invite alumni mentors to help shape the next generation of health leaders.
Vytalize
As the College of Health entered its fifth year, it adopted “The Business of Health” as its annual theme for its Colloquium series and introduced a new inter-college undergraduate degree partnering the College of Health and the College of Business.
Dr. Amer Alnajar ’08, Dr. Hasan Bayat ’07, and Faris Ghawi ’09 were recognized when their company, Vytalize Health, was honored by Inc. Magazine as the fastest-growing company in America. The company manages over 300,000 Medicare patients across 30 states, saving the healthcare system tens of millions annually.
In Remembrance
Alice P. Gast, who served as Lehigh University’s 13th president from 2006 to 2014 and was its first female president, passed away on October 27 following a nearly four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Upon the news of her passing, Helble said, “She was a steadfast champion of Lehigh University and our pursuit of excellence, and I know the university community joins me in honoring her remarkable legacy and extending condolences to her family and loved ones.”
Combined Success!
The Giving Day + March Mania event for academic and athletic support surpassed its goals in 2025, receiving over $3 million from over 4,600 donors, translating to historic highs in donors and dollars. Check out the numbers in the post-event infographic, and be on the lookout for the announcement for Giving Day + March Mania 2026!
Big Names on Campus
The inaugural Future Makers Speaker Series on October 14 brought entrepreneur Jared Isaacman for a conversation about innovation, leadership, and the future of critical industries. Meanwhile, three Compelling Perspectives events invited digital journalist and podcaster V Spehar in the spring, corporate founder and CEO Arianna Huffington in the fall, and Senator Dave McCormick in the winter.
Reporting Regional Results
The university released the Community & Economic Impact Report 2023–24 for fiscal year 2024, which quantified Lehigh’s role as a key economic, educational and social driver in the Lehigh Valley. Most notably, Lehigh added $1.4 billion to the regional economy in FY 2023–24, proving that Lehigh’s success is intrinsically tied to the success of its community.
10 Under 10
The Young Alumni Council recognized its 2025 list of 10 Under 10, including an environmental changemaker, a Recording Academy player, a cheer gym owner, and more than one Forbes honoree.
Rivalry 161
Second year in a row! Once again, Lehigh defeated the Leopards, winning 42-32 in front of a sellout crowd at Lafayette’s Fisher Stadium. The away game did not deter Lehigh fans from showing up. Alumni and students supported their team in Easton and at nationwide telecasts events, and the game ultimately earned Lehigh a Patriot League championship and first-round bye in the FCS playoffs. The team then hosted its first home playoff game in 21 years in front of 9,000 fans at Goodman Stadium. While Villanova bested the Mountain Hawks, the year will live in the annals of Lehigh Football with a record-setting 12–1 campaign, league-best 14th championship, and numerous coach and player awards.
